Apple Jump
（アップル・ジャンプ）
Tobu West Ikebukuro Sunlight Mansion B1, Nishi-Ikebukuro 3-33-17, Toshima-ku, Tokyo. (03)5950-0689
東京都豊島区西池袋3-33-17東武西池袋サンライトマンションB1
Cover charge ranges from 2,800 yen to 3,500 yen. 2 sets from 8 (Sundays and Holidays from 7)
A few minutes walk from exit C3, (which is an underground walk from the station), west side of Ikebukuro Station. Straight out the exit, head down Rikkyo Dori, veer left and you can see the club to the right of a good-sized park. Map and photos on site.
Apple Jump is a relative newcomer to Tokyo’s jazz scene, but in its seven years, it has gained a reputation for opening its space to the very best new musicians in the city. Most of the musicians have several CDs, often many more, to their names, but still play with many different musicians in many different configurations.
Apple Jump is an easy place to like. Unpretentious in design, its simple, focused and box-like interior is all that is needed. It’s a compact, cool-looking box of a basement room. The musicians and audience sit close, on the same rough concrete floor, so everyone joins together as one. There is no feeling of being a customer here, just another human being in need of music. The musicians, too, clearly love playing here, since they do not need to separate themselves off as some separate sub-group of humanity.
The space looks like a practice room, but feels like you have lucked upon a special session heading for the stratosphere. Drinks and food are simple, but done right. It is an easy place to show up a bit late, and still ease into a right-at-home feeling. Chairs are simple, but comfortable, and you can move them around without bashing into the person beside you. The building is in a lively area with plenty of other cafes, bars and restaurants that keep their independence just off the well-beaten paths of the bigger roads. The owner clearly loves music and a good time. His calming presence keeps things running smoothly, without all the pressures of most clubs.
The club also has great sound dynamics, without any need for miking and amping. The room is “live,” but in a way that sounds natural. Hearing instruments directly makes the music that much more special. The laidback vibe is infectious to musicians, fans and all who pull back the heavy front door and sit down.